Monday, September 14, 2009

A Hat Trick of Ill-Mannered Celebrity .....

It's not often that, in the course of one week, we are treated to ill-mannered celebrity in three widely-diverse venues. But such was the case this past seven days. On the plus-side, however, is the ensuing, redeeming display of high class and grace ... well, in two cases, at least.

First, there was Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina, and his "breach of decorum" during President Obama’s speech last week. Wilson apologized the next day ... and Obama - rather than make the guy a poster child for opposition to health insurance reform - instead accepted the apology, saying it came "quickly and without equivocation," and acknowledging that "we all make mistakes."

Now, if only House Democrats would take a similar high road, and not pursue sanctions against the guy. Seriously, our nation has far more important things to focus on than Joe Wilson ... like health insurance reform.

Change of venue ... New York City, U.S. Open tennis court ... and once again is heard a discouragin' word - or two, or ... - this time from Serena Williams. Me? I'm kind of torn here ... but then, I was old enough to enjoy the sideline antics and verbal volleys of John McEnroe and Ilie Năstase. But on the other hand, I'm the parent of a boy who's worked as a side judge at local rec soccer games, and I'm all for people - on the field, and on the sidelines - showing the officials a little respect.
Change of venure, once again ... Last - and by all means least - there's Kanye West at the MTV Video Music Awards, upstaging Taylor Swift's acceptance of Best Female Video award by taking the microphone from Swift, protesting her selection, and announcing that Beyonce should have won. But in the wake of that embarrassing moment (West was booed, and later shown the door), came a wonderful moment from Beyonce, herself, as she accepted Video of the Year award, and promptly invited Swift out on stage to properly “have her moment.” Bravo, Beyonce!
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3 comments:

Stewart Doreen said...

Good post. Interesting trifecta.

As far as Serena goes, the comparison to McEnroe and his antics seems a stretch. He was an artist out there, like a basketball coach pestering refers for 3 1/2 quarters to get that call when he really needed it. For what is worth Mac's antics probably laid the foundation to the professional officiating we see in today's tennis.

Serena's shove the ball down your f'in throat comment was of thug-like proportions. If our youngsters take a lesson from Mac, they will be seen as a brat. If they take lessons for her antic, ball boys and girls around the world should be afraid. Be very afraid.

14/9/09 11:23 AM
Jeff said...

Stewart, point well made and well taken. I agree, Williams does kick it DOWN a notch - or more - from McEnroe, in more ways than one. I never heard him use that kind of language ... but Nastase, well ...

And you may be right about the positive effects of McEnroe's antics. But I recommend this post from Stanton Peele's blog at Psychology Today about some other effects.

14/9/09 12:04 PM
Stewart said...

Don't know much about Nastase although he and Jimmy Connors were both described as bad boys in the mid-to-late 1970s.

14/9/09 5:18 PM

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